Are Ford Tractors Good? (Explained for Beginners)
Ford Tractors have been in existence since the early nineteen hundreds.
Over the years, the brand name has become synonymous with reliability and strength.
But are the tractors any good?
Yes, Ford makes some of the most agile and durable tractors on the market. This is not surprising, though, considering the manufacturer’s years of experience in the industry. You can trust the classic tractors to perform excellently on the fields.
Who Manufactures Ford Tractors?
In 1907, Paul Ford and W. Baer Ewing built the first tractor, and called it the “Automobile plow.”
This tractor was the first product from the Ford Tractor Company.
It was part of the marketing strategy to leverage the popularity of Henry Ford, owner of Ford Motor Company.
Henry Ford formed Fordson to contract the original name, Henry Ford & Son.
After several legal battles, Fordson became the producer of 75 percent of tractors built in the United States in the late nineteen hundreds.
Finally, in May 1953, Ford Motor Company announced that they were now distributors of the Ford Tractor.
Types and Features of the Ford Tractors
Ford Tractors are manufactured in three different variants, namely, Ford Compact, Ford Utility, and Ford Row Crop Tractor models.
The Ford Compact is designed to transport hay, feed, and clean out stalls or pens. They are built with a loader attachment.
The Ford Utility model is mostly used by farmers.
Designed with the very best horsepower available (at the time of its manufacturer), the Ford Utility tractor works efficiently when it comes to plowing the fields.
The Ford Row Crop tractor is designed to cultivate and grow crops planted in a row.
The best thing about the Ford Row Crop line is that you can use them to till the ground and also cultivate crops.
All Ford Tractors are available in models ranging from 1000 to 7000 series.
Let’s look at some of the popular models in the company’s lineup.
The Ford 3000 Tractor
The Ford 3000 is a part of the 1000 series. It is one terrific beast that boasts of a water-cooled, 175 cubic-inch diesel or gasoline engine.
The engine is accompanied by a 3-cylinder OHV.
The Ford 3000 Tractor model runs on a 47 hp or 35.0 KW, 2100 RPM.
When it comes to the design and function of the hydraulics, it operates on an open center, with a pressure of 2,500 psi.
It also has a steering pressure of 600 psi. This ensures that you have a firm grip as you ride the machine across the fields.
The tractor is fitted with two types of loaders. They weigh 815 lbs and 1054 lbs, respectively.
Some of the best features that come with the Ford 3000 tractor are the hydraulic remote valves, power steering, and a Live PTO.
Other notable features include a differential lock, with standard tires in front at 5.5 x 16 with either 13.6 x 28 or 14.9 x 24.
Another impressive feature of this tractor model that’s worth mentioning is the 10-speed select O speed powershift transmission.
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The Ford 8N Tractor
This model was first produced in July 1947 and is equipped with a 4-speed powershift transmission.
The engine has four cylinders with a constant mesh transmission.
The fuel capacity is 10 gallons or 37.9 L. This means you can be sure of working long hours on the field without stopping every now and then to refuel.
The power steering is an automotive ball nut type. It has higher efficiency and less wear.
To make things a lot comfortable, the steering is also designed with the operator fatigue factor in mind.
This means you can readjust to road shock and maintain a smooth ride for as long as you are using the tractor.
This model features a powerful engine. It has a horsepower rating of 16.2 hp with a 1-2-4-3 firing order.
The engine has sleeves that can be easily replaced during servicing. It also features a camshaft tailored to the fuel distributor directly at the front.
Unlike other models in the Ford tractor lineup, the Ford 8N Tractor is unique. Little wonder it was predicted to become a top seller in the whole of North America at the time.
The Ford 5000 Tractor
This model was manufactured between 1965 and 1976.
Similar to the 8N model, the Ford 5000 tractor comes with a 4 cylinder gasoline or diesel engine.
It has an incredibly powerful horsepower rated at 69.
This Row-Crop tractor is a 2-wheel drive. It features a 1-3-4-2 firing order and a maximum forward speed of 27 km/h. For reverse speed, it offers up to 13 km/h.
The transmission type is the normal sliding gear. This comes with a set of 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears.
Plus, the tractor is fitted with an oil capacity of 10.2 L.
And now for the tires!
The tires come with Ford Tractors’ unmistakable signature. As with all other Ford Tractors, it is a blue or gray color on all the machines.
The drive wheels of this model are 2WD 4 X 2 with the front tire size of 6.0 and the rear measuring 12.04.
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Are the Ford Tractors Affordable?
Right from when the company was first launched, Ford Tractors were produced with a value-for-money design, especially targeted at small-scale farmers.
This means they are not built with all the bells and whistles of the modern-day tractor that can increase the purchase cost.
Depending on the horsepower, you can get a Ford Tractor for as low as $700. On the high-end of the spectrum, you can find models costing up to $39,000.
One of the best things about buying a Ford tractor is the financing option.
And financing is available, regardless of whether you want a cheap or high-end model.
This is a great relief for many farmers and other users who are on a budget. It makes the equipment more accessible so they can come up with a flexible payment plan.
What is the Warranty of the Ford Tractors?
Currently, there is no official warranty offer for all Ford Tractors from the company in the United States.
However, you can get a warranty from the dealer you choose to buy from.
As you may have guessed, this offer will differ, depending on your location and who you are buying from.
The general reviews from most users are overwhelmingly positive.
Of course, there are minor complaints but nothing much to constitute a deal-breaker. This is to be expected, though, considering Ford Tractors have been around for several decades.
General Review on Ford Tractors
Ford had continued to hold the fort when turning out the high-quality tractor. As a result, many customers are glad and delighted about the products.
According to a review on tractotbynet.com, Ford tractors have an overall rating of 4.5 stars.
Based on a user’s review on the site, it has been a terrific tractor that has never disappointed. It has served us efficiently for bailing, cutting, hauling hay, and general farming. The user continued and revealed that they had a few hydraulic leaks due to regular service.
Another delighted user revealed that the tractor has been valuable and reliable. Even if the temperature is below zero, the tractor starts and pulls like a train the user added.
Are Ford Tractors Reliable?
Ford tractors live up to its reputation in delivering reliable and easy to use tractors.
According to a reviewer, he is the second owner of the tractor, but the tractor never fails to deliver. In his words: It is so easy to get to and does the job.
Another reviewer revealed that the tractor is solid and can handle almost everything. Maintenance also does not require any particular routine.
General Pros and Cons of Ford Tractors
Users of Ford tractors quickly poured their minds on the experience using the tractors. Many people had good things to say about the tractor.
According to a user, a great tractor can work comfortably in small and tight areas. He further continued that the tractor never broke a sweat while having a serious task.
It starts easily revealed one of the users even if the temperature is zero. This makes it ideal for areas where the temperature drops to ungodly levels.
Another user’s words were that it is an impressive American tractor that can handle everything from digging to hauling.
Some Flaws to Expect
Many users suggested areas for improvement where Ford should look into.
The distributor-type fuel pump makes it easy to run out of fuel at times. As a result, it might not bleed easily like in-line pumps.
Another user complained that they have been changing the PTO external bearing because the shaft disengages almost every year.
There is also some problem of disconnected transmission.
Conclusion
If you are in the market for a classic machine, produced by a company with plenty of experience in making tractors, the Ford tractor should be somewhere near the top of your list.
It’s easy to love these vintage tractors. That’s partly because they are easy to operate.
And when there’s eventually a problem, fixing them is usually straightforward. Plus, there are plenty of spare parts readily available.
High quality and affordability are two things most people look out for when scouting for tractors.
Indeed, there are no warranty offers with Ford Tractors.
However, these machines are highly recommended, considering their rugged construction and how they can adapt to the different conditions on the fields.
Sources
Farm Equipment for Sale– Ford Tractors